06/03/2026
🦠 Tinea Corporis vs Tinea Versicolor — Don’t Confuse Them in Exams!
Many nursing and medical students lose marks because they mix up ringworm (dermatophyte infection) with Malassezia infection.
⚡ Quick Exam Trick
🔹 Tinea corporis → Ring-shaped lesion with central clearing
🔹 Tinea versicolor → Hypo/Hyperpigmented macules with fine scaling
🔹 KOH test → “Spaghetti & Meatballs” appearance (Malassezia)
💡 NCLEX / NORCET / AIIMS Tip:
If the question mentions Wood’s lamp → Yellow-gold fluorescence, think Tinea versicolor.
🎯 Save this post before your exam revision!
👇 Test yourself with the MCQs below.
📚 Follow for daily nursing & medical exam pearls
📝 MCQs for Students
1️⃣ Which organism most commonly causes Tinea corporis?
A. Candida albicans
B. Malassezia furfur
C. Trichophyton species
D. Staphylococcus aureus
✅ Answer: C. Trichophyton species
Rationale:
Tinea corporis is a dermatophyte infection mainly caused by Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton.
2️⃣ “Spaghetti and meatballs appearance” in KOH preparation is characteristic of:
A. Tinea corporis
B. Tinea versicolor
C. Psoriasis
D. Impetigo
✅ Answer: B. Tinea versicolor
Rationale:
KOH microscopy in Malassezia infection shows short hyphae and yeast cells, resembling spaghetti and meatballs.
3️⃣ Yellow-gold fluorescence under Wood’s lamp is seen in:
A. Tinea corporis
B. Tinea versicolor
C. Vitiligo
D. Scabies
✅ Answer: B. Tinea versicolor
Rationale:
Malassezia furfur produces yellow-gold fluorescence under Wood’s lamp, which helps confirm Tinea versicolor.
